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A retired city planner thinks Sioux Falls has been short-changed by Money Magazine in the two decades since being named the best place to live in America. Steve Metli, who was city planner when Sioux Falls attained the top ranking in 1992, wonders why Sioux Falls can't even crack the business publication's top 100 best-places list anymore. We take a closer look at Sioux Falls' fall from the grace off the pages of Money.
The title of Best Place to Live in America is still a source of civic pride in Sioux Falls, 20 years later.
"It's had a wonderful impact on Sioux Falls," Metli said.
Money Magazine praised Sioux Falls' business climate and schools. But Money docked the city for not having a major university or art center. Since then, the city has added the Washington Pavilion and the University Center.
"So all of those things that they were dinging us on, we've really massively improved," Metli said.
Metli says because of all the improvements through the years, Sioux Falls is an even better place to live than it was in 1992. But based on its recent rankings, Money doesn't agree.
"I don't know whether we've made somebody mad at the editorial staff, but I'm surprised they're ignoring us now," Metli said.
Critics have said Money keeps changing its rating system making it nearly impossible for any city to stay on top from year to year. While Metli says a high ranking from Money probably wouldn't be as big a deal today as it was 20 years ago, still, a little recognition would be nice.
"It matters in the sense it gains us national recognition in a recognized financial magazine," Metli said.
But the rest of the country has taken notice, even if Money hasn't.
"I think more and more people are recognizing that Sioux Falls out here in the prairie is a pretty good place to live," Metli said.
Money did recognize Sioux Falls this year for being 10th in the nation in affordable housing.
Metli says he cancelled his subscription to Money last year.
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